Non-Lawyers Maxims

You have the right to represent yourself. Missouri and federal courts both allow individuals to proceed pro se (representing themselves without an attorney).

But you are held to the same rules as an attorney. The U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri both advise self-represented litigants directly: if you proceed pro se, you must follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Court’s Local Rules the same as any attorney who represents someone. Missouri state courts apply the same principle — you may represent yourself as long as you follow the same court rules that would apply to a lawyer.

Courts will not walk you through the process. Federal appellate courts have repeatedly held that judges are not required to explain procedure to pro se litigants — for example, a court does not have to instruct a self-represented party on how or when to respond to a motion for summary judgment (Beck v. Skon, 253 F.3d 330 (8th Cir. 2001); Bennett v. Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., 295 F.3d 805 (8th Cir. 2002)), and a pro se case can be dismissed for failing to comply with discovery obligations or service rules just as an attorney’s case could (Lindstedt v. City of Granby, 238 F.3d 933 (8th Cir. 2000); Bullock v. United States, 160 F.3d 441 (8th Cir. 1998)).

This is exactly where a paralegal fits in. The rules don’t bend for you — but you don’t have to face them without support.

A paralegal cannot practice law, give legal advice, or appear in court on your behalf. What a paralegal can legally do is help you carry the practical and procedural workload of being your own advocate:

• Legal research — locating relevant statutes, court rules, and case law for your own review

• Drafting and formatting pleadings and motions for you to review, sign, and file

• Organizing case files, evidence, and exhibits

• Tracking deadlines and hearing dates

• Explaining general court procedures so you know what to expect

• Assisting with e-filing requirements

• Preparing correspondence and discovery documents

This model is well established: courts have long recognized that organizations may lawfully help members access legal assistance — for example, a labor union’s right to recommend or retain attorneys for its members was upheld in Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen v. Virginia, 377 U.S. 1 (1964) and United Mine Workers of America v. Illinois State Bar Ass’n, 389 U.S. 217 (1967). The common thread in all of these cases is access to legal help — not a substitute for it. That’s the same principle behind paralegal support: helping you organize, prepare, and present your own case as effectively as possible, while you remain the one who signs, files, and appears.

A note on limits: As a paralegal, I am not an attorney. I cannot give legal advice, represent you in court, or sign documents on your behalf, and nothing in this page is legal advice. If you need advice about how the law applies to your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.